Hole drilling machine



Feb. 6, 1968 c. M. BAUMGARDNER 3,367,427

HOLE DRILLING MACHINE P Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 27, 1965 INVENTOR. (SEC/L M. BAUMGARDNER ATTORNEY Feb. 6, 1968 BAUMGAFQDNER 3,367,427

HOLE DRILLING MACHINE 2 Sheets-Sheet :3

Filed Sept. 27, 1965 b 7 o a III d llll :1 J f. EFF: 222:: IZII: J VK L Z u s INVENTOK CEC/L M. BAUMGARD/VER BY 5 ATTOPNEV United States Patent 3,367,427 HOLE DRILLING MACHINE Cecil M. Baumgardner, Monta Vista, Calif. (10282 Mann Drive, Cupertino, Calif. 95014) Filed Sept. 27, 1965, Ser. No. 490,249 3 Claims. (Cl. 17322) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A hydraulic hoist of the fork lift type is mounted on the back of a jeep, or the like, pivoted about a transverse horizontal axis to vary the drilling angle. A platform is mounted on the hoist and contains a prime mover, a transmission and a vertical shaft driven thereby. An auger is fixed to the shaft.

This invention relates to a new and improved simplified portable drilling machine for earth angers and the like. Conventional hole digging machines which use earth augers are usually very complicated and expensive and require specially manufactured parts for their assembly. The present invention is assembled from a variety of different conventional readily obtainable machines and the amount of special fabrication is of a minimum. Assembly and installation of the apparatus is similarly simplified.

In essence, the present invention employs a jeep with hydraulic power takeoff as motive power. On the back end of the jeep is a hydraulic hoist of the fork lift variety and said fork lift is preferably pivotally mounted about a transverse horizontal axis so that it may be tilted to vary the angle of drilling relative to the position of the jeep. A platform is fixed to the vertically movable portion of the lift, and on said platform are mounted a prime mover preferably having a clutch and a drive to a vertical shaft. The auger, which may be of conventional type, is fixed for rotation with said shaft. Thus, at the commencement of the drilling operation, the hoist mechanism is elevated and the auger installed on the bottom of a shaft. The jeep is maneuvered to the desired position for drilling and the hoist is adjusted and angled so that the drill is inclined or vertical as desired. Thereupon, the prime mover is energized and the clutch engaged. As the auger turns, the hoist is lowered by the hydraulic controls conventional in fork lift machines until the hole is drilled to the desired depth. Thereafter, the lift may be elevated to clear the auger from the hole.

It will thus be seen that the machine hereinafter described is compact and easily maneuvered and can be transported to areas which are not otherwise readily accessible. Further, the jeep may be driven along a line of holes being dug so that a series of holes may be rapidly completed in a time far less than with conventional apparatus. As the contour of the ground changes, the angle of inclination of the auger axis may be adjusted rapidly and simply.

By reason of the fact that the various parts are of more or less conventional construction, the cost of manufacture is relatively small since many of these parts are made for other purposes in large scale production.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following specification and referring to the accompanying drawings in which similar characters of reference represent corresponding parts in each of the several views.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary side elevational view showing the invention in vertical drilling position.

FIGS. 2 and 3 are schematic views similar to FIG. 1

3,367,427 Patented Feb. 6, 1968 in reduced scale showing the angle of inclination of drilling inclined.

FIG. 4 is a rear elevational view.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along the line 55 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary elevational view of a part of the hoist structure.

The present invention may be used installed on a jeep 11, the rear wheels 12 thereof being shown. The jeep is equipped with a takeoff for a pump (not shown) to provide hydraulic power. A pad eye 13 depends from the rear end of the jeep bed and is attached by means of a pivot 14 to a similar eye 16 welded to the lower end of the frame 17 of the lift device. The inclination of frame 17 may be adjusted by hydraulic cylinder 18, one end of which being pivotally mounted by pivot 19 to the jeep and the rod 21 thereof being pivotally mounted by pivot 22 to frame 17. As is apparent by comparison of FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, by means of cylinder 18 the inclination of frame 17 relative to the jeep may be adjusted. One of the controls 23 in the hydraulic control box 24 mounted in the cab (not shown) of the vehicle controls cylinder 18.

The hydraulic hoist mechanism is not herein illustrated and described in detail inasmuch as it is conventional in construction. Such hoists are used in fork lift machines and in the present invention a platform 26 is substituted for the conventional fork lift. By means of control lever 27, the platform 26 may be raised and lowered. For such purpose, in accordance with conventional construction, there are mounted within frame 17 relatively sliding channels 28, 29 actuated by a vertically disposed hydraulic cylinder 30 connected to a chain 30a and pulleys 30b so that the amplitude of lift is multiplied as compared with the movement of the hydraulic piston.

In the present invention, a prime mover 31 is mounted on platform 26 adjacent the forward end thereof with its shaft 32 horizontally transversely disposed. Prime mover 31 may be a gasoline engine. A hydraulic clutch 33 is interposed between drive shaft 32 and engine 31 and hydraulic hoses 34 connects the clutch to control 36 on hydraulic control block 24. Hoses 34 pass over guides 35 on channel 29. Pulley 37 is mounted on shaft 32 and connected by V-belts 38 to pulley 39 on counter shaft 41 mounted by means of pillow blocks 42 on platform 43 supported above platform 26. A universal joint or coupling 45 connects shaft 41 to drive shaft 44 leading to right angle drive 46 also mounted on platform 43. A conveniently available right angle drive 46 is a truck rear axle differential wherein the two ring gears are welded together and the takeoff for one of the sides of the truck is capped by cap 47. The axle housing 46 is mounted on support 48 on platform 43 and held in place by shackle 49. The lower end of housing 46 has a drive collar 51 which normally turns one of the wheels of the vehicle. In accordance with the present invention, a fitting 52 is provided with a flange 53 connected to member 51 by bolts 54. Fitting 52 has an internal spline 56 which receives the upper end 57 of connecting shaft 58 and is drivingly connected thereto by transverse bolt 59. A support bearing 61 is mounted below platform 43 on horizontal member 62 which is secured to platform 43 by struts 63. Bearing 61 is engaged by collar 64 on shaft 58 to receive the upward thrust of the auger. The lower end 66 of shaft 58 is non-circular and is apertured and is fastened to the fitting 67 on the upper end of anger 68 by means of bolt 69. A pilot bit 71 may be attached to the bottom of auger 68 in accordance with conventional practice.

In use, the jeep 11 is driven to the site of the hole to be drilled. If a line of holes is to be drilled, the jeep is lined up accordingly. As each hole is reached, cylinder 18 is adjusted so that the hoist frame 17 is at the desired inclination. Hoist cylinder 30 is energized by use of control 27 so that platform 26 is elevated and auger 68 is installed and held in place by bolt 69. The operator can, after relatively little practice, maneuver the jeep with the auger already in position so that it is unnecessary to leave the cab or employ a helper to guide the drill into position. When the auger is at the right inclination and in the right location, prime mover 31 is started if it has not already been started, and clutch 33 engaged, thereby turning shaft 58. Control 27 is then adjusted so that the hoist is gradually lowered and platform 26 moves toward the ground depressing auger 68 as it turns.

Although the foregoing invention has been described in some detail, by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity and understanding, it is understood that certain changes and modifications may be practiced within the spirit of the invention and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a hole boring device, a self-propelled vehicle, said vehicle having a cab and hydraulic pressure means, a hydraulic hoist, said hoist having vertical ways, a platform mounted for movement along said ways, hydraulic means for moving said platform along said ways for movement toward and away from the ground where said vehicle is positioned, and control means in said cab controlling transmission of hydraulic pressure from said pressure means to said hydraulic means to adjust the elevation of said platform, means mounting said vertical ways on said vehicle for pivotal movement of said hoist about a transverse axis, hydraulic cylinder means for controlling movement of said hoist relative to said vehicle about said axis, a prime mover on said platform, a vertical drilling shaft rotatably mounted on said platform, an earth auger on said drilling shaft, and transmission means for transmitting rotary movement from said prime mover to said drilling shaft, said hoist when in operative position suspended from and supported entirely by said vehicle, the angular position of said hoist relative to said vehicle controlled solely by said hydraulic cylinder means.

2. A device according to claim 1 in which said transmission means comprises a first pulley rotated by said prime mover, a second pulley, a horizontal countershaft on which said second pulley is mounted, means for turning said second pulley from said first pulley, a right-angle drive having an input shaft operatively connected to said countershaft, an output shaft at right angles to said input shaft and operatively connected to said drilling shaft, and means in said right-angle drive for turning said output shaft from said input shaft.

3. A device according to claim 2 which further comprises a clutch interposed between said prime mover and said first pulley, said vehicle having a cab, and hydraulic control means for said clutch operated from said cab.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,895,901 1/1933 Smith 173-22 X 2,939,682 6/1960 Kromberg 173-43 X 3,240,278 3/1960 Witwer 173-22 FOREIGN PATENTS 145,776 3/1952 Australia.

FRED C. MATTERN, JR., Primary Examiner.

L. P. KESSLER, Assistant Examiner. 

